Euronews

Thai protesters have gathered outside government buildings in Bangkok, continuing their fight to topple the Prime Minister.

Protest leaders have called for a general strike and for civil servants to walk out on the ninth day of demonstrations.

Demonstrators say Prime Minister Yingluck Shinawatra’s government is controlled by her brother Thaksin Shinawatra, a former prime minister ousted in a military coup and now living in exile. They want to replace her government with a “People’s Council.”

The Prime Minister said on Monday she would “open every door” to pursue talks with protesters and that police would not use force against them.

She also confirmed that the military was staying neutral in the crisis.On previous occasions the military has taken sides against the government including the 2006 coup against Yingluck’s brother.

Across the city some schools and universities closed in anticipation of violence.

Over the weekend, protesters attempted, unsuccessfully, to storm the prime minister’s office, Government House.

The government enjoys support outside the capital, by mostly poor, rural voters but it is disliked by many among Bangkok’s urban middle class.

Four people have died in Thailand’s worst political turmoil since the violent 2010 rallies that ended in the death of around 90 people.